When Do You Start Maternity Leave Uk

So, When's the Big Day, Mum-to-Be?

Alright, listen up, all you supermums-to-be! You're growing a tiny human in there, and that's nothing short of amazing. But you might be wondering, "When do I get to put my feet up and start my maternity leave in the UK?" Let's dive in, shall we?

When's the Magic Date?

In the UK, you can start your maternity leave any time from 11 weeks before your baby is due. That's right, you can kick back and relax (well, as much as you can when you're the size of a small planet) up to three months before your little one makes their grand entrance.

But hold your horses, because if you're planning to take the full 52 weeks of maternity leave, you'll need to give your employer at least 28 days' notice before you want to start. So, start counting those weeks, and get that notice in pronto!

What About Pay?

Now, let's talk turkey. You're probably wondering how much of your hard-earned cash you'll be taking home during your leave. The first six weeks are usually paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings, and then you'll get either:

• Statutory Maternity Pay (if you earn at least £118 per week), which is £151.20 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.
• Or, if your employer offers it, Company Maternity Pay, which could be even more generous.

And the best part? You can choose to take 12 months off, and your job will be waiting for you when you're ready to return. Isn't that just the bees' knees?

But What If I Want to Work?

If you're not ready to hang up your work boots just yet, you can take advantage of Keeping in Touch (KIT) days. These are days you work during your maternity leave, and they're a great way to ease back into the swing of things. Plus, you'll get paid for them too!

Example: Maternity leave

And let's not forget about Shared Parental Leave. If your partner also takes some time off work, you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between you. It's like having your very own little family leave party!

You've Got This, Mum!

So there you have it, folks! Maternity leave in the UK is a wonderful time to focus on you and your baby, and with all these options, you can make it work for you. Whether you're ready to kick back and relax or want to keep one foot in the world of work, there's a path for you.

Now, go forth and enjoy this incredible journey. You're growing a human, for crying out loud! That's more impressive than anything you'll ever do in the office. So, put your feet up, have a cuppa, and revel in the fact that you're about to become a mum. You've got this!